I know I'm not alone when I tell you all that I have a lot of trouble sleeping. I eat well and stop eating several hours before bedtime, I take any "energy" vitamins in the morning, limit caffiene intake to mornings only, I walk daily and I have a pretty physical job but I STILL cannot get good sleep. Like a lot of you, it is suprising if I can get 3 straight hours. Will anyone share with me what you do for sleep? Over-the-counter sleep aids give me the groggy morning hangover. I'm considering asking my doc for Ambien. Anybody try it? Thanks!
Terri~I take anything that makes me sleep early in the evening. Right now I've been taking Tramodal which I actually take for pain; but it relaxes me enough to sleep too.
For years I would just take Tylenol PM but I would just take one and I would take it about 7:00 in the eveing. It doesn't "Knock you out" but will relax you enough to get to sleep easily by 11:00 and then by morning it's well worn off.
I've heard people say though that they really do like Ambien. Wouldn't hurt to try it.
Sweet Dreams.
Lovie
I have been taking Trazadone for years and it's the only thing that helps me and tried them all. You might try that
Susan
Teri, I have taken Ambien. If you allow eight hours to sleep it is very effective. Gave me a hang over if I had to get up before eight hours. I don't remember side effects. My only issue is I don't want to be dependent on sleep aids to sleep so I never take them for long. Sweet dreams. I think sleep deprivation is in the top five worst symptoms of ra.Kieye
Melatonin (nutritional supplement) or Calma Forte (homeopatic medication) work sometimes for me. They are not addictive and I've never experienced side effects. They are available in health food stores.
Another thing that often helps is stopping one's thoughts by focusing on the breathing.
Hi, Teri
It definitely can be very frustrating to not be able to sleep. I haven't tried Ambien, but, several people I know have and they seem to like it. My mother was Rx'ed it by her PCP after my dad died to help her sleep. My PCP Rx'ed me Lunesta to help me. It works, however, the after taste isn't pleasant to deal with. I usually get at least 6 hrs of sleep when I take it. I don't take it everyday, especially, if I'm going to have to wake up for an appointment or something. I work 12 hr shifts and midnights. So, those morning sleeps are crucial for me. Otherwise, I suffer from pain from RA and fibro; and my brain usually is in a fog.
Good luck finding something that works for you. Oh, I can remember before my PCP gave me something that Benadryl worked better than anything else for over-the-counter sleep aid. It doesn't cause you to feel groggy.
Ebony
I've always had trouble sleeping. It was unbearable when I started Pred and thankfully now I'm off it. My rhemy has givin me Abien and it works well. I don't take it more than two nights in a row. My first time taking it I didn't sleep through the night. I woke up wide awake at 6 hours. I works better now and I usually don't have the "hangover". You mentioned you only drink caffeine in the morning. I was a long time coffee drinker but would never drink caffeine after noon. My rhemy convinced me to give it up altogether. What a difference!!!! It took some time to wean myself off... I went from full caffeine to 3/4 caffeinated and 1/4 decalf and so on till I was off. I only noticed headaches for the first week or so. I sleep better than I ever have before. I only use my sleeping pills for when I hurt. Hope you find sleep soon!! My Internist put me on Zoloft to see if it would help with sleep..I had to stop it because it caused such bad headaches for me. I tried Ambien but left me to unfocused in the mornings and I couldn't handle that. SO now I am using Bigelow's Sleep Time Tea or Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time tea with my Vicadin and I make sure I am off my computer 45 minutes before I go to bed...Seems to be working...HUURAY!!! 6 hours is much better than 3 hours or less that I was getting.
Hope everyone has a great day this Tuesday... Toni Hi there....I was having tons of trouble sleeping as well. I still wake up sometimes but I have found that Valerian Root (an herbal sleep aid) really helps. I take one or two before bed every night and it has greatly improved my sleep. I used to take Elavil but I wasn't comfortable having to take any more prescription drugs than was necessary. I would really urge you to try it. Britenny I have been on Cymbalta and I think it helps some with sleep. I also take calcium and megnesium 2x day and I noticed I was sleeping better. Cant hurt, might help. Lesle
I took a doxepin ? i think, man I was asleep in an hour and still felt groogy the nexy day
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com